Germany without a bunker: How to prepare for crises privately!

Germany without a bunker: How to prepare for crises privately!

Hessen, Deutschland - Germany has fundamentally changed its crisis to crisis by graduating from state bunkers by graduating from the state. According to Exxpress.at , the federal government reduces its resources for conventional shelters and increasingly promotes individual precaution. There are only 15 public shelters in Hesse, which together offer space for around 33,000 people - an inadequate capacity for over 80 million inhabitants in Germany.

The decision to reduce the bunkers was made in 2006. The Federal Office for Population Protection and Disaster Aid (BBK) describes the extensive provision of bunkers as "not up to date". Reactivation of existing shelter requires comprehensive measures. Instead, the BBK recommends creating personal supplies, including flashlights, water and food. Politicians are increasingly relocating responsibility for crisis to the individual.

new recommendations for emergency provision

In March 2025, the EU Commission published a new strategy for crisis provision that was adapted to the changed threats. Each household should create an emergency supply that enables at least 72 hours to survive, so taz.de . The recommended stocks include durable foods, water (1.5 to 2 liters per person per day), warm clothes, blankets, batteries, flashlights, camping stove, radio and a medical emergency set.

The need for such pension measures has increased by various natural disasters experienced in Germany such as fall floods and hurricane damage. These events make it clear that in addition to war dangers, floods and power failures also pose serious risks. Climate change leads to more and more frequent weather events that challenge emergency management.

The change in threats

political developments and Russian attack on Ukraine have increased awareness of the threats in Europe. The social needs of individual crisis care have increased. As the BBK notes on its website, low -income households are often less prepared for disasters, which limits scope for action in emergency management. In the United States, the culture of preparing for disasters is more common than in Germany.

The inner cohesion of a society plays a crucial role in crisis situations. Voluntary forces, such as the more than 1.4 million volunteers in Germany, are a central part of disaster protection and provide important support in emergency situations. The federal government has been providing emergency provision since 2016, and there is a clear need for further political and economic support.